SSA+S
Assessment
Assessment is a multileveled component
of any school. This educational tool encompasses student learning,
faculty and staff proficiency, and the school itself.
Learning is assessed, both formally and informally, through questions
(both verbal and non-verbal, factual and conceptual) in order to ascertain
both the sequence and depth of knowledge and understanding. This process
is continual and individual lessons are based on this assessment. This
practice is accomplished by a variety of methods including, but not limited
to: observations of certain behavioral clues and critical and probing
questioning that identify the level of understanding and/or areas of concern
or deficiency. Formative and summative evaluations are utilized in creating
content area lessons. These lessons, in turn, guide the instructor
toward appropriate activities for remediation or enrichment. Summative
evaluation of a given unit of study includes performance level activities,
written (or oral) exams (which usually allow for student preference of
response type), and/or project presentations. Exams are
teacher-generated and based on the instructional emphasis given to a
particular unit of study. Additionally,
SSA+S also includes Employability Skills (work habits and on-task behavior) in
the assessment of their students.
Weekly Meetings are held for each
grade level team and content area. During these meetings, teachers
conduct individual assessments of student progress in areas of concern and
subsequently plan for best practices for each student.
The Exceptional Student Education
personnel conduct testing/evaluations of students and construct Individual
Education Plans (IEP’S). Meetings are held regularly with parents to
discuss the progress of the students and their IEP.
SSA+S is accountable for student
assessment, as required by state statute. Students participate in all
age-appropriate state and district assessments. Currently the FCAT, based on
the Sunshine State Standards, and the No Child Left Behind Evaluation and
assessment of each student’s annual growth. Previous year's FCAT
scores and learning gains as demonstrated on the measurement of (NCLB), are
used as "pre-tests" and
the current year's scores and learning gains, are used as the "post
tests." SSA+S also uses FCAT Writing evaluation to measure student
proficiency in this area. Diagnostic tests, in Math and English, are given to
all incoming 6th grade students in order to facilitate appropriate placement.
ESE students take tests, as described above, with modifications as noted in
their IEP's.
Teachers, undergo assessment of job
performance based on the Teacher Performance Appraisal System, and informal
evaluative assessments are ongoing. Also, SSA+S annually disseminates
the District’s Climate Surveys to assess different factors concerning the
school. Our sponsor, the Sarasota County School Board, conducts yearly
reviews (Paper Audit) to monitor our progress and success.
Evidence of success for our
assessment strategies and practices is corroborated by the large percentage of
students accepted into highly specialized and competitive secondary school
programs. As a school with a faculty, administration, and staff
dedicated to our students, we strive to insure that we are consistently
assessing our situation and adapting, when and where necessary, in order
to maintain a dynamic equilibrium. This
approach has led to our most recent achievements:
SARASOTA
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EARNS THREE MAJOR LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT!
SSA+S:
GRADE “A”
Schools are assigned a grade based primarily upon student achievement data
from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). School grades
communicate, to the public, how well a school is performing, relative to state
standards. School grades are
calculated based on annual learning gains of each student, toward achievement
of Sunshine State Standards, the progress of the lowest quartile of students,
and the meeting of proficiency standards.
Approximately 53% of the schools, statewide, earned an “A” grade
for the 2005-2006 school year. I am happy to report that we are one of these
schools. Our administration,
faculty, and staff have embraced our philosophy of “The Holistic Approach to
the Total Child,” coupled with an interdisciplinary and teaming approach
within a multicultural focus that has fostered this superior status.
Congratulations to our administration, faculty, and staff who have made
sure our children were working at an optimum level.
Moreover, I would like to express my gratitude to our students who
worked diligently throughout the year making “learning” a priority to
their educational experience at SSA+S.
NO
CHILD LEFT BEHIND
ADEQUATE
YEARLY PROGRESS: ACHIEVED
The No Child Left Behind Act requires all states to utilize state
assessments to determine if a school has made Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) in the proficiency of all students.
The main purpose of the act is to ensure that all children have a fair,
equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and
reach proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and
state academic assessments.
AYP measurements target the performance and participation of
various subgroups based on race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
disability, and English proficiency. I
am again happy to report that we met 100% of the criteria to achieve Adequate
Yearly Progress for our student population.
Earning a school grade of an “A,” does not guarantee achieving this
status due to its rigorous standards.
Only 28% of the schools in the State of Florida achieved full AYP status.
Congratulations, once again, to the entire educational team at SSA+S!
JUST
READ FLORIDA!
“SHOOT
FOR THE STARS”: GOAL ACHIEVED
John L. Winn initiated the Commissioner’s FCAT Scores Challenge, “Shoot
for the Stars.”
Each middle school that is able to surpass both the percentage of
students meeting high standards in reading and the percentages making learning
gains will receive certificates from Commissioner Winn and Governor Bush, Just
Read, Florida posters, and flags commemorating their achievement.
Again, the educational community at SSA+S is to be applauded for
meeting this goal.
